Information for Patients
Glossary of Terms and Conditions (Click Here)
Patients' 14 Most Common FAQ's: |
1) How Do I Get a Dynasplint® System? Dynasplint® Systems must be prescribed by your physician. If you and your physician or physical therapist think that you are an appropriate candidate for a Dynasplint® System, then click here to print information to take to your doctor.
2) Will wearing a Dynasplint® be uncomfortable? No, because the Dynasplint® System is custom fit to you and based on a low-load, prolonged-duration stretch. The splint offers a very light stretch and is comfortable to wear.
3) How do I know when to turn up the tension? As your Dynasplint® representative will explain, after 6-8 hours of wear you may experience post-wear stiffness. If the stiffness lasts for less than one hour, you may increase the tension by an amount suggested by the representative. Ultimately, you are in control of the wearing time and may remove the Dynasplint® System. But remember: time worn=lasting results.
4) Why do I have to wear the Dynasplint® for 6-8 hours? Patience. The best kind of stretch is a gentle, slow and steady stretch achieved over time. Other approaches use shorter bursts of time at higher tension. This can actually do more damage than good as micro tears may occur. Safe, long lasting remodeling of your connective tissue is what will restore your range of motion.
5) Do I have to wear the splint for 6-8 continuous hours? The ideal time for use of the Dynasplint® System is anywhere between 6–8 hours continuously. However, because some individuals cannot sleep with the splint or do not sleep at least 6 hours, the time can be broken down to fit the individual's schedule. For example, you may use the Dynasplint® System for two 3-hour sessions of wear throughout the day and/or night.
6) How does the splint know where to stop? The splint is designed to stretch your joint as far as your soft tissue (muscles, ligaments, tendons) will allow. The two springs inside the struts are constantly seeking your end range to create the greatest gains in range of motion.
7) If a tension of 2 is good, is a tension of 4 better? When using the Dynasplint® System the key to its success is the amount of time the joint can spend at or near its available end range. So, time is the most important factor to the success of the splint. Tension should only be increased once you are able to wear the splint for the recommended 6–8 hours.
8) How do I pay for this? When Dynasplint Systems, Inc. (DSI) receives an order for a Dynasplint® System from your physician, a DSI colleague will contact your insurance company to verify coverage. Most insurance companies; including Medicare, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aetna, CIGNA and UnitedHealthcare; cover a portion of the monthly cost for many Dynasplint® Systems. Once your benefits have been verified, your local DSI Sales Consultant will contact you to discuss your specific coverage. During this conversation, you will be informed of the portion of the charges that your insurance company is expected to cover and the remaining percentage which will be your responsibility. If you have coverage through more than one health insurance plan, such as Medicare and a supplemental insurance plan, you should have little to no out-of-pocket costs for the use of a Dynasplint® System.
9) When should I wear the splint? The Dynasplint® System is only to be worn when you are inactive. This allows for proper positioning for the splint and the muscles, tendons and ligaments to be in a relaxed state. Ideally, you should wear the splint while sleeping so that the goal of 6–8 hours is accomplished.
10) Do I still have to continue with physical therapy and my home exercise program? YES! The Dynasplint® System is an adjunct to physical therapy. It is used to continue your range of motion therapy in your home when your therapist cannot be present. The Dynasplint® System will make therapy more effective because you will not lose, and even will make more gain in range of motion between visits. Studies show that using the Dynasplint® System in conjunction with therapy can decrease rehabilitation time by 53%!
11) How long do I have to keep the splint? The average wearing time for our splints is 3-4 months. However, this can be greatly influenced by how quickly the splint is used after trauma or surgery. If the splint is applied within the first 100 days after trauma or surgery, research has shown range of motion increases from three to seven degrees per week.
12) How do I know when I am finished with the splint? That decision is up to your physician, therapist, Dynasplint® System representative and you. Then enjoy returning to activities that were hindered from a loss of range of motion.
13 )What should I do with my Dynasplint® when I am all finished? You are responsible for the easy return of your Dynasplint® System. Place it and the adjustment tool in the box that it came in. You will see return instructions in the envelope with ATTENTION PATIENT marked in red. In it there will be return instructions. Simply use the FedEx PRP label included in the unit box. After securely sealing the box call FedEx @ 1-800-GO-FEDEX for a pick-up.
FAQ – Billing14) I just received my monthly statement. Why is the balance different than what my sales consultant told me? Please remember that your benefits are only quoted and subject to review by your insurance company. Dynasplint Systems, Inc. provides a billing service for you. Your statement reflects any money posted to your account. Since it is a monthly statement, your insurance may not have processed your claim as of yet or they have only paid a portion of what they quoted. In either situation, it is the patient’s responsibility to contact their insurance company and pay any balance in question. To review your Patient Rights, click on the following link: Patient Rights (PDF) |
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1. Hepburn GR, et al: Multi-Center Clinical Investigation on the Effect of Incorporating Dynasplint® Treatment into Standard Physical Therapy Practice for Restoring Range of Motion of Elbows and Knees, presented at the New York APTA State Chapter Meeting, New York, NY, April 26, 1985. 2. MacKay-Lyons M: Low-Load, prolonged-duration stretch in Treatment of Elbow Flexion Contractures Secondary to Head Trauma: A Case Report. Physical Therapy, Vol 69, No 4: 292-296, April 1989. 3. Botte MJ, et al: Spasticity and Contracture, Physiologic Aspects of Formation. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, No. 233: 7-18, August 1988. 4. Lebmkubl LD, et al: Multimodality Treatment of Joint Contractures in Patients with Severe Brain Injury: Cost, Effectiveness, and Integration of Therapies in the Application of Serial/Inhibitive Casts. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilita- tion, pp 23-42, December 1990. 5. Hepburn GR: Case Studies: Contracture and Stiff Joint Management with Dynasplint®. The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Vol 8, No 10: 498-504, April 1987. Gracies JM: Pathophysiology of Impairment in Patients with Spasticity and Use of Stretch as a Treatment of Spastic Hypertonia. Physical Medicine and Rehabili- tation Clinics of North America, Vol 12, No 4: 747-768, November 2001. McPherson JJ, Becker AH: Dynamic Splint to Reduce the Passive Component of Hypertonicity. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol 66: 249- 252, April 1985. |
